Fashion It Ain't

I could not disagree more with your dos and don'ts about biking fashion in your latest issue. In fact, I have long thought bicyclers to be the most fashion-challenged group of people on the planet. Why is it (by and large) they feel the need to look like some kind of bug from outer space? Seriously, I laugh (and cringe) every time I pass one of these day-glowed atrocities. I mean, come on people, you're out for a ride, some exercise. You don't need to look like you're on the final stage of the Tour de France. All you need is a T-shirt, a pair of shorts and some shoes, sandals even. Helmets make sense, even if they are ugly, and that's about it. Face it, you look ridiculous and it's not necessary.
Unless you are truly training for a race, I guarantee a T-shirt flapping in the wind isn't going to shave enough seconds off your ride to make the least little difference. I can go along with the padded shorts, they provide true comfort, but stop there. In all other walks of life you're probably pretty normal people, and dress within conventional norms. Why, just because you're on a bike, do you throw even the least little bit of resemblance to taste out the window? This has always confused me. No other activity even touches the atrociousness of dress bicyclers exhibit.

Very, very sincerely,

Charles (longtime bicycler) Finn, Bend

PS. The gear-head trend in "recreation" really pisses me off, too. Go old-school, be sensible, spend a hell of a lot less and have just as much fun.

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